Scientific Method/Molecules

Running Head : Sunlight and Growth

Sunlight 's Effect on the Growth of Mung Beans

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Sunlight 's Effect on the Growth of Mung Beans

Introduction

In the of consumption , or in the ever famous food chain and pyramid , plants always occupy the first and primary level . It is because they are capable of creating their own energy from the raw materials found in the environment . These organisms are then called the producers for they serve as the energy source for the consumers , which are the

br animals and other organisms that cannot make their own food

The process on which plants transform raw substances into their food is called photosynthesis . In photosynthesis , plants use two substances - carbon dioxide and water - to form a sugar called glucose (Campbell 1999 . This glucose is then transported to the different parts of the plants and stored for future consumption

Aside from carbon dioxide and water , light also plays an important function in photosynthesis . It is by light energy , derived from the sun that the plant is able to synthesize glucose (Campbell , 1999 . And since the production of glucose is important to a plant 's growth , adequate light should be observed in trying to propagate these organisms

Question

How much light is required by plants to efficiently produce glucose and grow

Hypothesis

Light is an all important factor in a plant 's growth . In the environment , plants get this light energy from the sun . Therefore having a maximum amount of light would benefit the plant since it will gain a lot of energy required to process its food

Prediction

In this experiment , set-ups of the same plant would be treated with different amount of light coming from the sun . If a plant receives enough light , it would then grow faster than those kept in the dark . The plant exposed to maximum sunlight would then grow the tallest after the given amount of time

Controlled Experiment and Methods

The experiment would consist of five set-ups . Each set-up is made from a small plastic cup filled with soil . The soil for each cup should come from the same source to eliminate any effects it might cause . Three mung beans are then planted on each cup . Mung beans are used because they grow relatively faster than other seeds . The set-ups are labeled with numbers 1 to 5

Set-up number 1 is to be the positive control . It will be placed near a healthy plant , possibly in a garden . This is to ensure that the mung bean will receive an equal amount of sunlight that the healthy plant also receives . The second set-up is to be placed outdoors on a half shaded half sunlight-exposed area . The third set-up is kept inside the house , away from the windows . The fourth one is kept inside a cabinet The fifth set-up is placed outdoors , away from any shade and in direct contact with sunlight . The plants are to be watered every day , using the same amount of water for...